James Franklin

James (Jim) Franklin, 66, of Wenatchee, WA went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 20, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 8, 1949 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi to Willie James Casey and Evelyn Franklin. As a child, he enjoyed playing dominoes, checkers, and playing outside with his siblings and friends. He also enjoyed music and sports, playing the drums, racquetball, basketball, martial arts, and just sitting outside soaking up the sun. He left Mississippi at the age of 16 to attend Job Corps in Moses Lake, Washington to pursue getting his GED and training in heavy equipment. He was employed at The Bureau of Reclamation in Ephrata. Soon after, he met the love of his life, Melisse Farnam at a dance where they connected right away. They spent 44 years together as friends, lovers, husband and wife. James was a family man who loved spending time with is wife, daughters, Tanya and Elita. He had four grandchildren, Cheyanna, Jacob, Shadow, and James II, and 2 great-grandchildren, Reylynn and Ricky, Jr. James retired from Alcoa as a crane operator after 25 years, where he worked very hard to support his family. He was a great, loving, humble, kind, and generous man who loved the Lord. James loved watching his oldest two grandchildren play sports. He also enjoyed watching his oldest grandson race at WVSO. He was always supportive of all the children and their dreams, letting them know they could do whatever they wanted, if they put their minds to it. When he wasn't with family, you could find him at the Y.M.C.A; playing and teaching racquetball and basketball or ministering to the children at juvenile. James is survived by wife of 44 years, Melisse, his two daughters, Tanya Franklin-Ermine, and Elita Franklin; granddaughter, Cheyanna Ermine; grandsons, Jacob McGraw, Shadow Ermine, and James Franklin II; great-granddaughter, Reylynn Padron; great-grandson, Ricky Padron, Jr.; his sisters, Mary Jo Mickens (Henry), Wanda Amerson, JoAda Casey, and his brothers, Robert Casey (Beatrice), Joseph Calloway, Ricky Barnes (Evon), Rodrick Casey, John Casey, Leo Casey. He had 6 nephews, 6 nieces, 10 great nieces, 9 great nephews and many, many cousins. He was proceeded in death his father, mother, by an infant brother, Paul Casey, and sister, Eliza Casey. A Celebration of Life with reception to follow will be held Friday, April 1, 2016 at Eastmont Baptist Church located 400 S Kentucky Ave, East Wenatchee, WA. at 2:00 p.m

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James Franklin

July 8, 1949 - March 20, 2016